Interchangable Locks

[SavageArcher]

I know that Dixie made their Tennessee Rifle with the option to change from flint to percussion. It would seem to me that any drum and nipple style could be changed to flinter as long as the lockplates were the same basic size and internal configuration. I may be wrong on assuming this would be a simple operation so I ask for advice.

I like the idea of having a gun that can be used both ways. I could use flint when Goex BP is available but if I'm forced to use Pyrodex I can switch ignition system. These are some of the ideas I've been beating around in my head.

 

[jtmattison]

I had the same thought. I emailed Lyman to see if my deerstalker could be converted to percussion from flint and vise versa but they said no. It would be nice if you could do it.

Huntin

 

[Dave K]

I think the idea is sound, but in reality you will shoot one or the other. If you like the flint best, save the money you would spend on the extra lock and order powder in.

 

[scott fellows]

i have the interchangeable locks for my pedersoli .50 rifle. the perc. lock sits in my shooting box and is never on the gun anymore. save your money and buy one or the other. you'll have one favorite anyhow and won't use the other at all. take care
pieman

 

[Gary]

It can be done, but it takes certain workmanship to ensure that the fitting is good. It's critcal where the holes are drilled and I suppose on the 2nd lock, provided two C-clamps are used to secure the 2nd lock plate to the stock (and the drilling is through the non-lock side), everything should line up perfectly.

 

A couple of years ago I bought a Pedersoli Early American Jaeger with both flint and percussion locks. Used the percussion for my first trip to the range and then used the flintlock exclusively after that. The percussion lock ended up being a waste of $100. I will say that it was very easy to switch ignition systems.

 

[Zonie]

The Reading and Bedford rifles I've built are convertable from Caplock to Flintlock and back, but if your building the gun, it's not as easy as it first sounds to make this happen.

I can't speak for the locks on production guns like Lyman, TC and Pedersoli, but the L&R on the Bedford Caplock/Flintlock and the large Siler Caplock/Flintlock on the Reading not only have slightly different lockplates sizes but the sear arm is not real close to being the same even though they are from the same companys.

I filed the lockplates and bent and filed the sear arms so they would both fit properly and the (forward) trigger would fire them the same.

IMO, the hole for the Caplock side drum is located close enough to the right position for the Flintlocks Vent liner to work just fine, but the precussion lock really dictates where the hole in the barrel is going to be.

As I say, it can be done, but it is not a drop in with those locks.

With factory made guns, it might be a little easier to make them convertable IF it has a side drum.
Those with a patent breech may or may not be reworkable depending on the breechs available.

Also, if your gun was made for a Caplock, plan on removing some wood behind the hammer for the flintlock.
Many of the flintlock guns cocks come to a stop on the top of the lock plate when the cock is in the fired position. The Caplock guns hammer does not usually do this so the necessary cut in the stock for the Flintlock's Cock will not be present. :hmm: